How Long Should a Child with Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Rest Before Returning to School?

Question

I don’t know what’s wrong, but my child has been crying and fussing a lot recently, and the hospital check-up didn’t help. How long should a child with hand, foot, and mouth disease rest before returning to school?

Answer

Once infected with hand, foot, and mouth disease, the baby should seek medical attention promptly and avoid contact with others, generally requiring isolation for 2 weeks. Items used by the baby should be thoroughly disinfected: items that can be soaked can be immersed in chlorine-based disinfectant, and items that cannot be soaked can be placed in direct sunlight for exposure. It’s best not to go out to prevent transmission. While you can bathe, eat only cooked food, but ensure it’s cooled down because there may be sores in the mouth which can be quite painful.